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In a very large soup pot (I used a 10-quart stock pot), add the chickens.
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Then add the onions, carrots, parsnips, celery, fennel, garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary, dill, bay leaves, peppercorns and salt.
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Cover with water so that everything is just submerged.
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You may need more or less than 5 quarts of water.
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Place the pot on the stove and bring to a boil.
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Lower the heat so that the stock simmers and simmer for 5-6 hours, skimming the fat that accumulates at the top periodically.
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Remove from heat and let it stand for about an hour, or until its comfortable to handle.
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Pour the stock through a colander into a large bowl.
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Then, with a cheesecloth fitted over a mesh strainer, strain the chicken stock again, into another large bowl.
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Set aside to cool completely, then portion out into freezer safe containers.
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You can refrigerate the chicken stock for about a week or freeze it for up to three months.
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Notes: 1.
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I used whole chickens for this recipe as I think they extract the most flavor into a chicken stock.
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Chicken carcasses, breasts, wings, or thighs may be used instead.
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2.
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I like to use as little salt as possible.
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You will still need some salt, but I like to keep it to the bare minimum and salt when I use the stock in another recipe.
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Its just my personal preference.
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Even when I buy chicken stock, I always buy the low sodium version.
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It is completely up to you on whether or not to season more or less.
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Adjust to your wants and tastes.
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3.
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Not skimming the fat off the top during the simmering process isnt 100% required, but you will have a cloudier stock when all is said and done.
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4.